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Soaring rents tightening the squeeze on tenants is being blamed for claims by landlords seeking to regain possession of their property surging to their highest level in nearly a decade.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice showed that 28,473 claims were issued in the first three months of this year in the private and social rented sectors, compared with 27,137 in the previous quarter. This was the highest number since 2004.

Average monthly rents in England and Wales rose by more than 4 per cent over the year to £735, and 8.5 per cent of all rent is in arrears,